The Feathered Nest

The softer side of MaisonBisson

OPUS (Other People’s Unique Stuff) June 11, 2009

TowerGirl @ 12:05 pm
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OPUS Manchester

So often we drive by interesting places in our own backyards, but we don’t take the time to stop and check them out.  Like most of us, I am busy and taking an unplanned detour threatens to topple my carefully constructed schedule. It is ironic, but I find I need to plan a day to be spontaneous. I was on vacation last week and I planned such a day.  Armed with list of places I’d been meaning to pop into, I headed out to explore these little pockets of mystery I pass every day.

The best of these was OPUS on Manchester’s West Side. If I owned a store, this would be it.  It is a wonderful collection of lovingly selected treasures. They have an impressive selection of antique furnishings. They have kitchenware and lamps. They have vintage clothing and jewelry. It is all carefully arranged to create an inviting space that you could blissfully lose hours exploring – I did.  The prices are reasonable and the staff is very friendly and helpful. I plan on returning often.

 

Ch-Ch-Changes June 10, 2009

TowerGirl @ 8:03 pm
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EthelEthelEvery aspect of New England life is impacted by weather. We have coats for each season. We have snow tires and regular tires. We have too many shoes because of all the weather variants we venture out in. Blown by the Mother Nature’s winds, it stands to reason that we all come up with our own ways to herald the turning of the calendar pages. Some celebrate with lawn ornaments and others with seasonal flags flying on the exterior of their homes. Having no lawn and a condo association controlled exterior, I do it with Ethel, my vintage dress mannequin. Rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor hail keep Ethel from looking perfect no matter the time of year. Of course, it helps that she never has to leave the climate controlled comfort of our home.

I collect vintage frocks for her to wear and change them with the seasons. She, or I, seems have a bit of a penchant for formal wear. She recently changed from her winter gown to a lovely party dress. As I packed away her faux fur coat, I took a deep breath and welcomed in the spring. Mother Nature may have control, but does she have such a smashing fashion sense?

 

Spring Dinner May 27, 2009

TowerGirl @ 10:47 am
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Dinner
I haven’t done much cooking lately.  I hate it when my life gets in the way of playing in my kitchen. Finally, I had time to cook.  It takes some time for spring to arrive to NH, but finally lilacs, asparagus, and even radishes are starting to appear and my window box herb gardens are flourishing.  With all these yummy tokens of spring, I ignored the work I “should” have been doing and dawned my apron.

I have read about roasted radishes on a few blogs lately and have been anxious to try my hand at them. I did these quite simply with quartered shallots, olive oil, and kosher salt. I stuck them in a 425 degree oven for 25 minutes. They couldn’t have been easier.

Then I heated up my beloved cast iron grill/skillet.  I cut medallions from a loin, seasoned them with smoked salt and freshly ground pepper, and grilled them for about 8 minutes on each side.  I served these and the roasted radishes on a bed of arugula.

I felt like the pork wanted a light-herby sauce.  I walked upstairs to my herb garden and grabbed a mixed handful of basil, parsley, and mint. These went into my food processor along with a couple of tablespoons of dijon mustard, olive oil, a small shallot, and champagne vinegar. The result was very tangy and a lovely compliment to the pork.  I had the leftovers the next day as a dip with cucumbers and celery.

The farmers market opens in two weeks, school is almost out for the year, and my kitchen will soon be put through daily workouts.

 

The Party, A Sestina May 25, 2009

TowerGirl @ 3:42 pm
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The Pour

I enjoy writing my blog. However, my first love is writing poetry.  Since it is MY blog, I figure why not merge the two? Especially since most of my poetry tends to have a rather domestic edge.

This is a sestina.  I love writing sestinas. How it forces you to play with and stretch words and how the six repeating words spiral in and out. This poem has a Mad Men feel, it makes me want a martini and a vintage cocktail dress. Of course, lots of things make me feel that way.
(don’t stop, there’s more…)

 

Summer Infatuation May 23, 2009

TowerGirl @ 2:40 pm
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Dessert 

I am one of those who tend to believe that there is nothing better than chocolate. This applies especially to ice cream. A simple scoop of vanilla covered in hot fudge or good old Hershey’s chocolate sauce is hard to beat. It has been my steadfast companion for many years. However, I may have found a new crush. I am calling him StrawBlueBarb Compote. He is a flirt. He is starts off sweet but there is a tangy bite to him. He is complex and a little naughty. I am smitten and I can’t get enough. This morning I smeared him all over my buttermilk pancakes. I am obsessed.

To taste my crush yourself, just follow these simple steps.

You will need:

  • a pint of strawberries
  • about 5 stalks of rhubarb
  • a cup of blueberries
  • 3/4 cup of sugar
  • 2 teaspoons of cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla
  • 3 tablespoons of triple sec

Step-by-step:

  1. Remove the tops and quarter a pint of strawberries.
  2. Take about five stalks of rhubarb, not too thick, and cut into half inch pieces.
  3. Set aside about about a cup of blueberries.
  4. Then in a heavy bottomed sauce pan, place 3/4 cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch. Whisk then together.
  5. Put it all the berries and rhubarb and mash it all up a bit.
  6. Then add in a teaspoon of vanilla and 3 tablespoons of triple sec.
  7. Turn the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until rhubarb reaches desired doneness. I went about 18 minutes.
  8. Let it cool a bit so you don’t burn your tongue and then find something (or someone) to pour it on.

I just clandestinely savored a cool spoonful from the fridge. Don Henley’s Boys of Summer swirls through my head. Don’t tell chocolate.